GlobalPort bounced back into contention within the US Open Polo Championship in Florida on Sunday with a hard-fought 10-7 victory over BTA on the National Polo Center.
Led by team owner and sports patron Mikee Romero, GlobalPort delivered a balanced offensive effort, spearheaded by 10-goaler Bartolome Castagnola, who scored six goals, including all three within the decisive sixth and final chukker. This important win keeps GlobalPort in contention for one in all the tournament’s eight quarterfinal spots.
READ: Romero, GlobalPort ready for tough challenge at US Open Polo Championship
The 22-goal tournament, considered the crown jewel of polo in the US, is the third and final leg of the distinguished Gauntlet of Polo series, which also includes the C.V. Whitney Cup and the recently concluded USPA Gold Cup.
The victory put GlobalPort back on target within the preliminary matches following a narrow 7-9 loss to favorite La Dolfina/Tamera, the Whitney Cup champion, in last Wednesday’s opening match. GlobalPort next plays USPA Gold Cup winner Park Place on Saturday in a bid to clinch one in all the eight quarterfinal slots within the 12-team tournament.
The luck of the draw put GlobalPort within the tournament’s hardest group, the so-called “bracket of death,” where the teams must play against three of the hardest teams within the tournament, including the winners of the primary two legs of the Gauntlet, in cross-bracket matchups.
Castagnola, the Argentine star who’s one in all the highest goal scorers of polo’s winter season in Florida, once more led GlobalPort’s scoring. Nico Escobar, substituting for Lucas Diaz Alberdi, contributed three goals, while 18-year-old Argentine phenom Beltran Laulhe added one. Romero anchored a solid GlobalPort defense that thwarted shot after shot by BTA.
GlobalPort took an early 2-0 lead in the primary chukker and maintained their advantage, leading 3-2 within the second and 5-3 at halftime. Nevertheless, BTA fought back fiercely, with the combined offensive efforts of 10-goaler Tomas Panelo and 5-goaler Steve Krueger keeping the sport close.
BTA held Castagnola scoreless within the fifth chukker, allowing Krueger to tie the match at 6-6. But Escobar responded, pushing GlobalPort ahead 7-6 heading into the ultimate period.
Within the decisive sixth chukker, Castagnola stepped up with a masterful performance. He opened the period with a successful 30-yard penalty shot, but BTA’s 7-goaler Nachi Viana responded with a penalty goal of his own, narrowing the rating to 7-8.
An important turning point got here when Panelo missed a seemingly easy goal, as his shot hit the left goalpost and bounced out. Seizing the chance, Castagnola placed on a stunning display of horsemanship, dancing around defenders to attain and put GlobalPort beyond reach at 9-7. A final penalty conversion by the Argentine star within the closing minute sealed the 10-7 victory.
The win marked GlobalPort’s second overcome BTA in the present Gauntlet series, having previously defeated them 14-8 within the USPA Gold Cup. Nevertheless, that victory was not enough for Romero’s squad to advance to the quarterfinals of that event.
Despite being a first-timer within the Gauntlet of Polo, GlobalPort has posted impressive ends in Florida’s winter polo season. The team reached the semifinals of the Whitney Cup, finished second within the 12-goal Bronze Cup, and captured the championship title within the Sterling Cup.
As GlobalPort prepares for its crucial match against Park Place, Romero said the team stays determined and optimistic to proceed its strong run and cement its place among the many world’s top polo contenders.
“It’s a tricky match, but we’ll see,” Romero said.
GlobalPort and Park Place split their first two meetings within the Gauntlet. GlobalPort won their first match in the course of the Whitney Cup, while Park Place rebounded to win their second meeting within the USPA Gold Cup on their option to the championship.
